There is little to report from the World of Professional Billiards as there has not been a professional tournament since the World Championship. Neither of the two Radiant Grand Slam events scheduled for November and December took place. The third leg of the first series, scheduled for India was unable to obtain any T.V. coverage and was moved at the last minute to Moscow. It did not happen there either as it seems that the Indian players were unable to obtain visas in time. The first leg of the second series scheduled for Bombay, 17th - 19th December, was also postponed due to the difficulties in getting it on the box, but would almost certainly have been postponed anyway due to civil unrest.
Moscow is now to be in April whilst the event postponed from December will take place in January unless, of course, there are any further postponements.
It's all a bit of a mess. At the beginning of the season this magazine was informed that though the venues might change, the dates were, "Inviolable." Mark Wildman and Co. can hardly be blamed for the vagaries of the Indian Television Service, but it's a bit hard to see the logic in taking a tournament to Moscow. BQR is well aware that the World Matchplay Championship held in Moscow in October 1990 was an unqualified success though a costly one. It is true that professional billiards has to go where the money is but if news reports are to be believed there is not a great deal of spare cash in Russia at the moment. Whilst BQR wishes the professionals every success there is the nagging feeling that any money spent might just be better put into advertising and promoting the game in this country and especially as there is now some T.V. coverage here. All this is as maybe. What is beyond doubt is that the one who comes out worst from all the date changes is Derby professional David Rees. David is sponsoring the Spondon Mini-Prix due for January 17th. The date was chosen deliberately as, at the time, it was thought that the Radiant qualifiers would start in Sheffield on the 18th to be followed by the Strachan U.K. This would have meant that, in addition to the top U.K. based players, likely enough Sethi, Ferreira, and maybe other top Indians would have played - a great attraction. As it is, unless there are any further changes of date, Williamson, Gilchrist, Foldvari, Wildman, and Russell, may not wish to play as they will be preparing to leave for India, and the top Indians will still be at home. This is tremendously disappointing as the whole point of the Mini-Prix (In the light of the existence of the ABC) is to provide an opportunity for the public to see the stars in action.
The only really firm date at the time of going to press is that the Final of the U.K will take place at the Radion Plaza Club, Sheffield, on Saturday, January 30th. The U.K should start on the 25th.